Some dog owners find in their pet an unconditional friend that is always by our side; a companion, a comrade. Others, find support and help when dealing with different types of disabilities, no matter what the reason is, it is only logical that we want the very best for them. What do we, as owners, do for them? Besides providing love and shelter to our furry mates, there is an important area we must take care of: Proper nutrition. This is exactly where holistic dog foods may come into play.
What is holistic dog food, anyway? Unlike supermarket brands, holistic dog foods - or "organic dog foods" - do not contain any type of fillers, unnecessary chemicals or by-products. Keep in mind that,in general, we feed our pets the same diet every day. So, a proper nutrition makes a big impact on their health and their overall well-being.
Holistic dog foods are formulated with high quality and natural wholesome ingredients only; which provide them with increased energy, shinier coats, and a significant reduction on potential diseases. This becomes a great alternative to feed dogs and cats and make them healthier and happier.
Commercial brands (also known as supermarket brands) are known to be made out of waste unfit for human consumption. According to numerous investigations held by Born Free USA, this waste contains "intestines, udders, heads, hooves, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts". In the end, all of these get eaten by our pets, turning them into potential disease holders. But health is not the only issue here; many dog owners are astounded by the price of holistic dog foods. Major brands like Holistic Select®, Eagle Pack® or similar ones charge an average of $45 to $60 for a large pack of organic food, and around $17 to $30 for a small one. It may sound a little pricy when comparing those prices to the ones offered by large well-known brands like Pedigree®. But there is a huge difference between those two alternatives, as well.
Adding up to the fact that large brands use waste unfit for human consumption, cheaper brands also include soybeans, wheat and corn as fillers. This mix could potentially result in numerous nutrition-related diseases for a pet, in the long run; these may include obesity, digestive problems, urinary tract, heart, kidney and dental disease, to name a few.
Holistic foods contain whole grain rice, balanced omega 6 and 3, probiotics, antioxidants, conditioners, vitamins and minerals, while excluding at the same time, inadequate additives and fillers; they can also help decrease the number of visits to the vet due to unannounced illnesses. Last but not least, a bag of holistic food will last twice as long (or even more) than a bag of regular dog food. Remember that the phrase "you are what you eat" also applies for pets.
Find more tips and tricks on raising a happy pet, visit Urban Pet, all the latest mutt-haves, from Montreal, Canada to the world. For more info on holistic dog foods visit: http://urban-pet.ca/up/2010/06/holistic-dog-food/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4837458
After the series of pet food recalls in recent years, many dog owners are turning to holistic dog food as an alternative to the chemical filled brands that line store shelves. Is a holistic diet really that much better for dogs, or is it just another marketing ploy? Here are 5 reasons why holistic foods really are better for your pet.
1. Holistic Dog Food is all-natural.
Most of the brands available today are full of highly processed ingredients, artificial flavorings, colorings, and chemical preservatives. Many times, even the ingredients that seem natural are sub-standard as well. When you see meat "by-products" on the label of your pet's food, you need to be aware that this could include diseased organs, cancerous tumors, and other parts that are not fit for human consumption. If it's bad for you, how can it be good for your dog?
2. A Holistic Diet can Help Prevent Disease.
Dogs raised on a natural diet are much less likely to develop heart problems, diabetes, certain cancers, and many other degenerative conditions. A species-appropriate holistic diet has also been shown to strengthen the immune system and increase life expectancy.
3. Holistic Dog Food is Biologically Appropriate.
Dogs are hunters and scavengers in the wild. They are carnivores by nature, and the quality of the meat in their diets can greatly affect their overall well-being. Domesticated dogs must rely on their owners to "hunt" for them, and they eat whatever is provided. A holistic dog diet provides your pet with fresh, natural foods that are much closer to what your dog would actually eat in the wild. This helps your dog maintain optimum health.
4. You Control What your Dog Eats.
One of the best aspects of switching your pet to a natural diet is the control it gives you over what goes into your pet's body. You can remove all the potentially harmful additives and preservatives from the food your dog eats, and you can choose more healthful alternatives. If you have a dog with a health issue such as diabetes or arthritis, you may even be able to find a specialized holistic dog food that can help alleviate the condition.
5. You can Make your Own Dog Food.
There are a number of websites that have great resources on homemade dog food, and many of these include recipes. Many dog owners have found that cooking for their pets has not only resulted in a healthier, happier dog, but has also strengthened their bond with their pet. You should always discuss any new foods or recipes with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's diet. While there are some great natural dog food products and recipes available, not all of them are nutritionally balanced, and choosing an unbalanced recipe could have serious consequences for your dog's health.
Just as you wouldn't expect a person who eats cheeseburgers every day to be in excellent health, your pet's health is suffering if you are regularly feeding your dog commercial "fast food". You want your dog to live the longest, healthiest life possible. Natural dog food ingredients like those found in holistic dog food diets can help you give your pet exactly what he needs to be at his best.
Visit HalleBalleDog for fun and informative articles on Dog Training and Dog Care. I recommend reading this wonderful post on Switching to Holistic Dog Food to learn more about healthy dog food options.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3736708
As a responsible pet owner, keeping the dog healthy and away from possible dog eye infections should be a primary concern. Dog eye issues can either be viral or bacterial and unlike humans, dogs can't remove any foreign object that can come in contact with their eyes. Some breeds maybe prone to certain eye problems compared to others, so it's important to consult a veterinarian if the symptoms persist to avoid any more serious health problem.
There are some general signs to look out for dog eye infections. Check if the dog is blinking too much or squinting. There might also be an infection if the dog appears to be in pain and refuses to be touched on the head. Check if the dog is also avoiding light or rubbing its eyes against the floor or furniture and see if there's any redness in the eyes or there's no obvious abnormal bulging. A clear loss of appetite and constant whining can also mean a dog eye infection or injury. If there's an opaque membrane over the eye or it appears cloudy, or if the eye looks red and inflamed, this could be conjunctivitis. The change in pressure inside the eyes can affect the firmness of the eyeball. A softer eye can mean uvetitis while a harder eye could indicate glaucoma.
Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is one of the most common dog eye problems and can also be caused by allergies or parasites. This infection happens when the membrane inside the eyelids and in front of the eye are inflamed. Symptoms for conjunctivitis could be one of the following: inflamed red eyes, excessive tearing and a thick yellowish or greenish mucus discharge. The usual treatment for this dog eye infection is with antibiotic eye drops, given several times a day. There might also be some allergy medication or oral antibiotics given, depending on the cause. Home remedy for conjunctivitis involves cleaning the dog's eyelids and wiping away the discharge with a cotton ball moistened with lukewarm water. There are also over the counter eye scrubs, which can be applies at least twice a day or as many times as necessary. Applying a damp and warm compress to the affected eye for five minutes can provide relief to the dog.
Another common dog eye infection is dry eye or otherwise known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca. This is what happens when natural tears aren't produced to keep the eyes moist, which can cause damage to the tear ducts. This dog eye infection should be treated immediately otherwise it can lead to more serious problems like corneal ulcers and even blindness. Treatment for dry eye or KCT includes surgery and medications to keep the eye lubricated.
Cherry eye is when there's protrusion of the dog's third eyelid out of the corner of the eye. This can be easily treated with surgery and has a high success rate. Another dog eye infection is entropion, where the eyelids roll inward and cause the eyelashes to come in contact with the eyes that can lead to irritation and pain. This disease can be inherited so it's best to check if the dog is prone to this condition. Entropion can be treated with a simple surgery but it's important to have this treated right away or it can become a worse health problem. Meanwhile, ectropion is a dog eye infection when the eyelids roll outward and exposes the inner eyelid. Breeds with drooping eyelids such as St. Bernards are prone to this infection but this can be treated with eye drops and ointments.
Glaucoma is one of the more serious dog eye infections, and can cause blindness if not taken care of immediately. This canine eye problem happens when liquid builds up inside the eye that increases pressure inside it and can ultimately lead to a more serious damage. As much as glaucoma is painful for people, this is even more painful for dogs. Surgery is usually needed as treatment for glaucoma to reduce the build-up of fluid in the eye to save the dog's vision, plus there are also medications for the pain and pressure. Early signs of glaucoma can be mistaken as conjunctivitis, but other symptoms include cloudy cornea, and the dog is visibly in pain and eyes look bloodshot.
Another common dog eye infection is the cataracts and, like with humans, is normally due to the aging process. Cataracts is usually genetic but other factors include canine diabetes, any infections or injury. The symptoms to watch out for are the opaque or cloudy membrane covering the dog's eye and check if the dog has difficulty seeing its way around. This can be treated with eye drops or surgery, depending on the cause, the severity and the dog's condition.
Corneal ulcers in dogs usually happen when the infection or injury causes lesions in the cornea and gives extreme pain to the dog. Canine corneal ulcers may be a little more difficult to detect but a few symptoms include the dog rubbing their eyes against things like carpet, tear-like discharges and squinting. It has the best chance to be treated when detected early, because if not, it can lead to loss of vision. Ointments, eye drops and antibiotics are also needed to treat this dog eye problem.
Doing some preventative eye care is still the best way to maintain the dog's health. One way would be to gently and carefully wipe the dog's eye with a clean, damp cloth at least once a day to remove any build-up of material or gunk around the eyes, without scratching or rubbing the actual eye. Another way would be to keep the hair around the eyes short to prevent it from scratching or irritating the eyes. Mixing a teaspoon of sea salt into a pint of water can be used as a quick saline solution to wipe around the dog's eyes. If a foreign object is already stuck in the eyes, take the pet to the veterinarian right away because pulling it by yourself could be more damaging than helpful. Keeping pets away from any injury like dog eye infections is an essential part of being a good pet owner, and even pets deserve all the best possible health care they need.
For more details please visit our site to Dog Eye Care [http://petgroomingtips.org/] or Dog Grooming [http://petgroomingtips.org/].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6729477
Dog Eye Discharge - A guide to this common eye problem.
In this article we have provided our regular readers with a complete guide to dog eye discharge and the reasons why it may occur. We have provided a guide to the signs, symptoms and most common causes of this condition. So lets get started.
Causes of Eye Discharge in Dogs
- Canine Glaucoma - This problem is caused by a build up of pressure in the eye. This is a serious condition and if it is not treated quickly it can quickly lead to blindness.
- Entropion - This condition is caused when the eye lid starts to turn inwards. This will cause the eye lid to start rubbing against the eye ball causing discharge.
- Corneal Ulcers - This is often caused by a blade of grass or something that has triggered the ulcer. It might even be caused by an eye lash or even smoke.
- Lens Luxation - This is when the eye has become almost completely detached. This will cause pain, redness and discharge.
- Cherry Eye - This condition is caused when the third eye lid becomes prolapsed. The term Cherry comes from the redness and swelling that occurs during the condition.
- Conjunctivitis - This condition is when the Conjunctiva (the skin tissue) has become inflamed. This condition can be caused by viral infections, grass, pollen and even fungal infections. This condition is very common cause of dog eye discharge and should be treated as soon as you notice any of the above symptoms.
Tobias Charles writes on all aspects of dog obedience training, puppy training and dog health care. For more information visit his website for the best dog obedience training tips, health care advice and recipes for homemade dog foods for more great tips and information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5199688
